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All race reports for Thomas Rychlik

Event: Lent Bumps 2013 - Wednesday
Posted as: Tom
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After having been bumped by Catz the previous day we were eager to do better. It was remarkably nice weather, the first time any of us had rowed in both warmth and the sun - hopefully not the last!

We had Sidney M2 chasing us, and while their boat number was a bit ominous, we knew we had posted a much better time than them in the getting on race. Catz were ahead of us, but we knew that realistically we didn't have much chance of bumping them so our aim was to row over and polish our technique.

Our start was significantly better although both Tobi and I came out of our foot straps at one point. It was our first row over, so despite doing my best to concentrate on rowing, the carnage on the banks around us was quite distracting, in particular one boat which had mounted the bank. We gained a considerable distance on Sidney though unfortunately Catz had bumped meaning so we were able to row over without complete exhaustion.

Surprisingly enough, Igor was not late, while Stan only gave 5 and 6 a light shower of cam water.

M4 now has a rubber duck. Quack.

Event: Lent Bumps 2013 - Thursday
Posted as: Tom
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So gutting. This was the last day that out crew would all be rowing together and our best chance of bumping someone. We were chasing Magdalene III who were on target for spoons as well as having had posted a time significantly slower than us in another race. As a result there as almost a sense of expectation that we would bump.

Our start was as scrappy as usual but we apparently started to make some distance on them until everyone screamed to hold it up. Half of us thought we had bumped and celebrated, but the rest of us knew better. Apparently there had been not one, but two ejector crabs ahead of us. Two! And I still haven't seen one! Sidney had better eject tomorrow...

In any case the umpires decided to restart our half of the division. Again, our start was average, but we succeeded in getting the long whistle just before ditton. We all pushed, I blew up and they somehow got away. Someway up the reach we again got the whistle and pushed hard. And I blew up. Again. It turns out that we had been less than a quarter length from Magdalene for a considerable number of strokes until the finish.

I have to say that it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had and exhausted me for the rest of the day. I'm pretty sure we're all out to (finally) bump on the last day, though our chances will be a bit more slim.

This time it was Catarina who was late, while Stan out-classed us all by wearing some incredibly stylish google sunglasses.

Good work Stan.

Event: Lent Bumps 2013 - Saturday
Posted as: Tom
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After the previous days close miss we were very determined to bump Magdalene and get our first success.

I'll admit I don't remember much of the race owing to the fact I was concentrating on not being mentioned on Cam Fm as the 'slouching 6' again. This meant that the only thing I ever saw was the strap of Thornton's cap...

We succeeded in getting several whistles going round grassy and then a final burst just before ditton. Almost immediately there was a big jolt and cheering. It turns out we'd had a substantial overlap for a considerable while but the Magdalene cox had refused to concede, meaning that Andrew(2) ended up hitting her in the back with his blade. She was pretty quick to concede after that.

We completely forgot that there were boats approaching us, but we got out of the way at the last minute, unlike Magdalene, who forgot to steer and ended up crumpling their bow into the bank.

Dressed in the traditional greenery and less traditional garish sunglasses we rowed back very happily, and upon arriving at the boathouse threw Catarina (cox) into the Cam. Unfortunately I was pushed in as well, meaning that after Catarina stole my dry clothes, I was forced to pad home in lycra, soaking wet in temperatures of 2C.

Event: May Bumps 2013 - Friday
Posted as: Tom
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Very panicked. Neither side was able to settle down into a comfortable rhythm as rush and a lack of tapping down properly caused the boat to rock all over the place. We were very quickly caught by Emma at first post corner.

The upside? It was sunny enough that all our splashing created rainbows behind us. Very pretty.

Event: Emma Sprints 2013 - Division 2
Posted as: Tom
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A really lighthearted paddle down dressed in wonderful cheap and tacky pirate costumes was followed by a tense start. First and Third held the lead by a canvas for 30 strokes, before slowly pulling away. Shortly afterwards Robinson caught a crab and NM2 cruised over the finish line in fine form. After winning Felix held up some tissues yelling "I've got these to give to the next crew!" What a lad.

Event: Emma Sprints 2013 - Division 2
Posted as: Tom
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As NM2 spun, they collided with the bank, breaking off the bowball. Accepting the inevitability, I stripped off my upper layers, and lowered myself as far as I could into the river to fumble it off the riverbed. Just before I was about to topple in, I snatched it with amazing dexterity. We taped it on as best we could.

The start was good and clean, and while Churchill really could not keep time, their power soon showed out, pink shirts notwithstanding. The race was full of crabs and seat falls on both sides, and while First and Third made huge gains on at least two occasions, Churchill crossed the finish line by over a length.

Event: Emma Sprints 2013 - Division 1
Posted as: Tom
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This was so much fun. The costumes were a strong effort, especially on Hugh's part, and two coaches asked me if NM1 had a girl subbing in, so it clearly worked!

The race instantly fell into a heavy clash, with a Clare novice getting smacked in the face with a blade. The Clare cox shouted hold it up, and both boats did so, but with both coaches shouting to row on. First and Third rowed on well lengthening their lead all the way. Amar was so keen to win they kept rowing all the way to Ditton before realising the race was over. As they spun, they gently brushed Emma, plopping the bowball right off. Again. Sigh.

Event: May Bumps 2014 - Thursday
Posted as: Tom
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A really close one... After a frantic start, we gained to about half a length off Tit Hall M3, while at the same time Magdalene M3 also chased us down to half a length. While a stride was called, the amount of whistles, shouting, and turbulence in the water meant that we kept the rate very high and hectically tried to close down on Tit Hall through the wake. Approaching the motorway bridge, both boats closed down to canvas, and then overlap. At some point during the sandwich, Barney screamed to hold it up, and after pulling in, told us we had bumped (mounted) on Tit Hall, barely missing Magdalene. I now have a floppy branch in my room. Awesome.

Event: May Bumps 2014 - Friday
Posted as: Tom
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****.

Event: May Bumps 2014 - Saturday
Posted as: Tom
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A decent start off first post corner, but rapid gains meant a bump by Jesus was inevitable shortly after grassy. Even so, the crew gave it their all, well done guys, you deserved to have done much better.